Ctni 

Mnrfo 


Appeal  10  ine  y 
Conf  Pam  12mo  #510 


0^0617270 

HIMllNIllflllllll 


No.  84. 

APPEAL  TO  THE  YOUTH, 


AND    ESPECIALLY    TO    THE 


Soldiers  of  the  Confederate  States. 


To  arrest  a  great  moral  evil,  and  elevate  the  general 
standard  of  character  in  a  community,  the  influence  of 
the  young  is  all-important.  They  can,  if  they  please, 
put  an  end  to  the  most  demoralizing  scourge  that  has 
ever  invaded  our  country,  and  introduce  a  state  of 
society  far  more  pure  and  elevated  than  the  world  has 
yet  seen. 

Consider,  then,  beloved  youth,  some  of  the  numerous 
motives  for  abstaining  from  intoxicating  liquor  and  other 
hurtful  indulgences,  and  employing  your  ^ne  and  facul- 
ties with  a  view  to  the  highest  improve^Pit  and  use- 
fulness. 

The  use  of  such  liquor,  as  a  beverage,  will  do  you  no 
good.  It  will  not  increase  your  property  or  credit:  no 
merchant  would  deem  a  relish  for  it  any  recommenda- 
tion for  a  clerk  or  partner  in  business.  It  will  not 
invigorate  your  body  or  mind:  for  chemistry  shows 
that  alcohol    contains   no  more   nutriment  than    fire  or 


6  APPEAL  TO  THE  YOUTH  AND  SOLDIERS 

lightning.  It  will  not  increase  the  number  of  your 
respectable  friends:  no  one,  in  his  riplit  mind,  would 
esteem  a  brother  or  neighbor  the  more,  or  think  his 
prospects  the  better,  on  account  of  his  occasional  use  of 
intoxicating  liquor.  Nor  will  it  in  the  least  purify  or 
elevate  your  affections,  or  help  to  fit  you  for  the  endear- 
ments of  domestic  life,  or  social  intercourse;  but,  on 
the  contrary,  scripture  and  observation  alike  testify, 
that  wine  and  its  kindred  indulgences  "  take  away  the 
heart."  Why,  then,  should  a  rational  being,  capable  of 
the  purest  happiness,  and  capable  of  blessing  others  by 
an  example  of  temperance,  indulge  in  a  beverage  in  no 
respect  useful  to  those  in  health,  but  the  occasion  of 
countless  miseries ! 

But  strict  temperance  has  a  direct  influence  on  the 
health  and  vigor  of  both  mind  and  body.  The  most  emi- 
nent physicians  bear  uniform  testimony  to  its  propitious 
effect.  And  the  Spirit  of  Inspiration  has  recorded,  He 
that  striveth  for  the  mastery,  is  temperate  in  all  things. 
Many  striking  examples  might  be  adduced.  The 
mother  of  Samson,  that  prodigy  of  human  strength,  was 
instructed  by  an  angel  of  God  to  preserve  him  from  the 
slightest  touch  of  "  wine,  or  strong  drink,  or  any  un- 
clean thing."  And  Luther,  who  burst  the  chains  of 
half  Europe,  was  as  remarkable  for  temperance  as  for 
great  bodily  and  intellectual  vigor.  Sir  Isaac  Newton, 
also,  while  composing  his  Treatise  on  Light — a  work 
requiring  the  greatest  clearness  of  intellect — it  is  said, 
very  scrupulously  abstained  from  all  stimulants.  The 
immortal  Edwards,  too,  repeatedly  records  his  convic- 
tion and  experience  of  the  happy  effect  of  strict  tem- 
perance, both  on  mind  and  body.  And  recent  reforma- 
tions from  moderate,  drinking  have  revealed  numerous 


GF    THE    CONFEDERATE    STATES.  3 

examples  of  renovated  health  and  spirits  in  consequence 
of  the  change. 

But  not  to  multiply  instances,  let  any  youth,  oppressed 
with  heaviness  of  brain  or  dulness  of  intellect,  judi- 
ciously try  the  experiment  of  temperance  in  all  things, 
united  with  habitual  activity,  and  he  will  be  surprised 
at  the  happy  effect. 

Consider,  again,  that  in  the  purest  state  of  morals,  and 
the  most  elevated  and  refined  circles,  the  use  of  intoxicating 
drink  is  now  discountenanced,  and  regarded  as  unseemly. 
Inspiration  has  declared,  "  It  is  not  for  kings  to  drink 
wine,  nor  for  princes  strong  drink/'  And  who  would 
not  regard  any  of  the  truly  noble,  as  lowering  them- 
selves by  disparaging  this  sentiment?  What  clerical 
association,  or  what  convention  of  philanthropists,  would 
now  be  found  u  mingling  strong  drink  ?"  What  select 
band  of  students,  hoping  soon  to  officiate  honorably  at 
the  altar  of  God,  before  the  bench  of  justice,  or  in  the 
chamber  of  affliction,  would  now  call  for  brandy  or 
wine?  What  circle  of  refined  females  would  not  feel 
themselves  about  as  much  degraded  by  familiarity  with 
such  indulgences,  as  by  smoking,  or  profane  language? 
Or  what  parent,  inquiring  for  an  eligible  boarding- 
school,  would  think  of  asking  whether  his  son  or  daugh- 
ter might  there  have  the  aid  of  such  stimulus,  or  the 
example  of  its  use?  If,  then,  intoxicating'  liquor  is 
thus  disparaged  in  the  most  moral  and  intelligent  cir- 
cles, why  should  it  not  be  universally  abjured  by  indi- 
viduals? Why  should  not  the  young,  especially,  of 
both  sexes,  keep  themselves  unspotted,  and  worthy  of 
the  most  elevated  society? 

Consider,  moreover,  that  if  the  habit  of  drinking  be 
indulged,  it  may  be  difficult,  if  not  impossible,  should 


4         APPEAL  TO  THE  YOUTH  AND  SOLDIERS 

you  live,  to  break  off  in  more  advanced  life.  Thus,  even 
in  this  day  of  reform,  there  are  individuals,  calling 
themselves  respectable,  so  accustomed  to  drink,  or 
traffic  in  the  poison,  that  all  the  remonstrances  of  phi- 
lanthropists and  friends,  the  wailings  of  the  lost,  the 
authority  of  Heaven,  and  the  anathema  of  public  senti- 
ment combined,  cannot  now  restrain  them.  Let  the 
youth,  then,  who  turns  with  shame  from  such  examples 
of  inconsistency,  beware  of  a  habit  so  hardening  to  the 
conscience,  so  deadening  to  the  soul. 

But,  to  increase  your  contempt  for  the  habit  of  drink- 
ing, think  how  it  especially  prevails  among  the  most 
degraded  portions  of  the  community.  Inquire  through 
the  city,  or  village,  for  those  wlio  are  so  polluted  as  to 
be  shut  out  from  all  decent  society — so  inured  to  vice 
that  they  cannot  be  looked  upon  but  with  utter  disgust; 
learn  their  history,  and  you  invariably  find  that  the 
insidious  glass  has  been  their  companion,  their  solace, 
and  their  counsellor.  And  should  not  dark  suspicion 
and  decided  reprobation  be  stamped  upon  that  which  is 
thus  associated  with  the  lowest  debasement  and  crime  ? 

Such  drink,  in  its  very  nature,  has  a  perverting  and 
debasing  tendency  —  leading  to  foul  speeches,  foolish 
contracts,  and  every  sensual  indulgence.  Those  under 
its  influeirae  will  say  and  do  what,  in  other  circum- 
stances, they  would  abhor:  they  will  slander,  reveal 
secrets,  throw  away  property,  offend  modesty,  profane 
sacred  things,  indulge  the  vilest  passions,  and  cover 
themselves  and  friends  with  infamy.  Hence  the  sol- 
emn caution,  "Look  not  thou  on  the  wine,  when  it 
giveth  its  color  in  the  cup  :  at  the  last  it  biteth  like  a 
serpent,  and  stingeih  like  an  adder;  thine  eyes  shall 
behold   strange   women,   and   thy  heart    utter  perverse 


OF    THE    CONFEDERATE    STATES.  O 

things."  Those  who,  by  gaming  or  intrigue,  rob  others 
of  their  properly,  and  those  who  allure  "the  simple" 
to  ruin,  it  is  said,  fully  understand  its  perverting  influ- 
ence. "  Is  it  not  a  little  one?"  say  they;  and  so  the 
unwise  are  "caused  to  fall,  by  little  and  little." 

"She  urged  him  still  to  fill  another  cup ; 
#     #     #     and  in  the  darlc,  still  night, 
When  God's  unsleeping  eye  alone  can  see, 
He  went  to  her  adulterous  bed.     At  morn 
I  looked,  and  saw  him  not  among  the  youths; 
I  heard  his  father  mourn,  his  mother  weep  ; 
For  none  returned  that  went  with  her.     The  dead 
Were  in  her  house;  her  guests  in  depths  of  hell  : 
She  wove  the  winding-sheet  of  souls,  and  laid 
Them  in  the  urn  of  everlasting  death." 

Such  is  ever  the  tendency  of  the  insidious  cup.  For 
the  unerring  Word  declares,  *'  Wine  is  a  mocker,  strong 
drink  is  raging;  and  whosoever  is  deceived  thereby  is 
not  wise."  "  They  are  out  of  the  way  through  strong 
drink;  they  err  in   vision,  they  stumble  in  judgment." 

Indeed,  the  whole  spirit  of  the  Bible,  as  well  as  uncor- 
rupted  taste,  is  in  direct  hostility  to  ihis  indulgence. 
Its  language  in  regard  to  all  such  stimulants  to  evil  is, 
Touch  not,  taste  not,  handle  not.  And  to  such  as  glory 
in  being  above  danger,  it  says,  with  emphasis,  "  We, 
then,  that  are  strong,  ought  to  bear  the  infirmities  of  the 
weak,  and  not  to  please  ourselves." 

He  who  hath  declared.,  Drunkards  shall  not  inherit 
the  kingdom  of  God,  cannot,  surely,  be  expected  to 
adopt,  as  heirs  of  his  glory,  any  who,  under  all  the  light 
that  has  been  shed  on  this  subject,  perseveringly  resolve 
to  sip  the  exhilarating  glass  for  mere  selfish  pleasure, 
when  they  know  that  their  example  may  probably  lead 


6  APPEAL  TO  THE  YOUTH  AND  SOLDIERS 

others  to  endless  ruin.  Common  sense,  as  well  as  hu- 
manity, revolts  at  the  thought. 

On  the  opier  hand,  strict  temperance  is  pleasing  to 
the.  Most  High.  Hence,  it  is  said  of  him  who  was  hon- 
ored to  announce  the  Saviour's  advent,  "  He  shall  be 
great  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord,  and  shall  drink  neither 
wine  nor  strong  drink." 

Moreover,  the  habit  of  strict  temperance,  being  allied 
to  other  virtues,  will  secure  for  you  the  respect  and  con- 
fidence of  the  best  portions  of  the  community,  as  well  as 
the  approbation  of  God,  and  thus  lead  to  your  more 
extensive  usefulness.  The  youth  who  promptly  comes 
up  to  the  pledge  and  practice  of  total  abstinence,  and 
persuades  others  to  do  so,  gives  evidence  of  decision  and 
moral  courage — gives  evidence  of  an  intellect  predomi- 
nating over  selfish  indulgence,  and  superior  to  the  laugh 
of  fools;  and  such  is  the  man  whom  an  intelligent  com- 
munity will  delight  to  honor. 

But  you  are  to  live,  not  merely  for  self-advancement, 
or  happiness;  consider,  then,  that  true  patriotism  and 
philanthropy  rightfully  demand  your  cordial  support  of 
the  Temperance  cause.  A  thick,  fiery  vapor,  coming 
up  from  the  pit,  has  been  overspreading  our  whole  land 
and  blighting  half  its  glory.  Thousands,  through  the 
noxious  influence  of  this  vapor,  have  yearly  sunk  to 
that  pit,  to  weep  and  lament  for  ever.  Thousands  more 
are  groping  their  miserable  way  thither,  who,  but  for 
this  pestilence,  might  be  among  our  happiest  citizens. 
Still  greater  numbers,  of  near  connections,  are  in  conse- 
quence covered  with  shame.  Ah,  who  can  say,  he  has 
had  no  relative  infected  by  this  plague?  But  Provi- 
dence, in  great  mercy,  has  revealed  the  only  effectual 
course    for  exterminating   the  plague  —  total  abstinence 


OF    THE    CONFEDERATE    STATES.  7 

from  all  that  can  intoxicate.  And  the  adoption  of  this 
course,  instead  of  involving  any  real  sacrifice,  might  be 
an  annual  saving  to  the  nation  of  many  millions  of  dol- 
lars. What  youth,  then,  who  loves  his  country,  will  not 
cheerfully  co-operate  with  the  most  respected  of  every 
profession  in  encouraging  this  course  ?  Who  does  not 
see  its  certain  efficacy,  and  the  grandeur  of  the  result  ? 

While  a  foreign  despot,  with  his  armies,  is  now  in- 
vading our  country,  every  youthful  bosom  swells  with 
indignation.  And  will  you  not  combine  to  arrest  the 
more  cruel  despot,  Fntemperance,  whose  vessels  are 
daily  entering  our  ports,  whose  magazines  of  death  are 
planted  at  the  corners  of  our  streets,  and  whose  manu- 
factories are  like  "the  worm  that  dieth  not,  and  the  fire 
that  is  not  quenched  ?" 

Were  all  who  have,  in  the  compass  of  a  year,  been 
found  drunk  in  the  land,  assembled  in  one  place,  they 
would  make  a  greater  army  than  ever  Bonaparte  com- 
manded. And  yet,  unless  patriot  hearts  and  hands  in- 
terpose, myriads  more,  from  generation  to  generation, 
coming  on  in  the  same  track,  will  go  down  like  these  to 
the  drunkard's  grave. 

Were  all  the  thousands  that  annually  descend  to  the 
drunkard's  grave  cast  out  at  once  into  an  open  field, 
their  loathsome  carcasses  would  cover  maftv  acres  of 
ground.  And  yet  the  source  of  all  this  pollution  and 
death  is  moderate  drinking. 

Were  the  thousands  of  distilleries  and  breweries,  still 
at  work  day  and  night  in  the  land,  placed  in  one  city 
or  county,  they  would  blacken  all  the  surrounding 
heavens  with  their  smoke.  And  could  all  the  oaths, 
obscenities,  and  blasphemies  they  occasion  every  hour, 
be  uttered  in  one  voice,  it  would  be  more  terrific  than 
"seven  thunders." 


O  APPEAL    TO    THE    YOUTH    AND    SOLDIERS 

And  are  those  armies  of  drunkards,  that  liquid  fire, 
those  carcasses  of  the  slain,  those  everburning  manu- 
factories, and  those  blasphemies  in  the  ear  of  Heaven, 
less  appalling-,  Jess  stirring  to  patriotism,  because  scat- 
tered throughout  the  land?  Shall  there  be  no  burst  of 
indignation  against  this  monster  of  despotism  and  wick- 
edness, because  he  has  insidiously  entered  the  country 
instead  of  coming  in  by  bold  invasion?  Shall  he  still 
deceive  the  nation,  and  pursue  his  ravages?  Or  shall 
he  not,  at  once,  be  arrested,  when  it  can  be  done  with- 
out cost  and  with  infinite  gain  ? 

It  must  not  be  forgotten  that,  in  this  country,  every 
drunkard  has  equal  power  in  the  elective  franchise 
with  the  most  virtuous  citizen.  Nor  must  it  be  forgot- 
ten that,  should  the  reform  now  cease,  and  intemper- 
ance again  increase  for  the  fifty  years  to  come,  in  only 
the  same  ratio  that  it  did  for  twenty  years  previous  to 
the  commencement  of  general  reform  in  182b',  about  one- 
third  of  our  voters  would  be  drunkards.  What,  then, 
would    be  the  character  of  our  beloved  republic  ? 

But  should  intemperance  increase  in  that  ratio  for 
eighty  years,  a  nujority  of  our  voters  would  be  drunk- 
ards. Who  then  could  turn  back  the  burning  tide;  or 
who  could  govern  the  maddening  multitudes? 

It  is  not  arvaiti  thing,  then,  that  patriots  have  waked 
up  to  this  ^Project.  Their  trumpet' should  now  thrill 
through  the  land,  and  urge  all  the  young  to  enlist,  at 
once,  on  the  side  of  virtue.  These  can,  if  they  will, 
cause  the  river  of  abominations  to  be  dried  up. 

But  the  subject  of  temperance  h;>s  still  another  as- 
pect, far  more  serious:  it  must  be  a  solemn  considera- 
tion to  such  as  realize,  in  any  measute,  the  worth  of  the 
soul   and   the  necessity  of  its  regeneiat'on,  thai   indutl- 


OF    THE    CONFEDERATE    STATES.  9 

gence  in  the  use  of  intoxicating-  drink,  in  this  clay  or 
light,  may  grieve  the  Holy  Spirit,  whose  presence  alone 
can  insure  salvation.  Indeed,  to  say  nothing  of  the 
deadening  influence  of  such  liquor  on  the  conscience, 
unless  heaven  and  hell  can  mingle  together,  we  cannot, 
surely,  expect  God  to  send  his  spirit  to  co-operate  with 
that  which  is  peculiarly  offensive  to  the  most  devoted 
and  self-denying  of  his  friends,  and  which  Satan  em- 
ploys, more  than  any  other  agent,  in  fitting  men  for  his 
service.  For,  "  what  communion  hath  light  with  dark- 
ness?" "what  concord  hath  Christ  with  Belial?"  Be- 
ware, then,  of  the  arch-deceiver,  in  this  matter.  "■  It  is 
not  a  vain  thing  for  you,  because  it  is  your  life." 

It  is  obvious  that  if  such  stimulants  were  wholly 
done  away,  the  G<spcl  would  have  far  mightier  sway, 
and  human  nature  generally  assume  a  high  character. 
Pure  moral  stimulus  would  take  the  place  of  what  is 
low,  sensual  and  selfish.  Better  health,  better  temper, 
higher  intellect,  and  more  generous  benevolence  would 
everywhere  appear. 

It  is  obvious,  likewise,  that  Providence  has  great  de- 
signs to  be  accomplished  by  the  younger  portions  of 
this  generation.  Unto  us  are  committed  those  oracles 
which  declare,  "  Instead  of  thy  fathers  shall  be  thy 
children,  whom  thou  mayest  make  princes  in  all  the 
earth."  And  already  do  I  see,  in  the  silent  kindling  of 
unnumbered  minds,  in  our  Sabbath-schools  and  other 
institutions,  the  presage  of  unexampled  good  to  the 
nations.  Who,  then,  of  the  rising  race,  is  so  dead  to 
generous  feeling,  so  deaf  to  the  voice  of  Providence,  so 
blind  to  the  beauty  of  moral  excellence,  that  he  will 
not  now  aspire  to  some  course  of  worthv  action?  Let 
this    motto,  then,   stand  out  like  the  sun   in   the   firma- 


10  APPEAL    TO    THE    YOUTH    AND    iOLDIERS 

merit:   He  that  striveth  for  the  mastery,  is  temper- 

.ATE  IN  ALL  THINGS. 

One  word  in  reference  to  making  and  observing  a 
pledge  for  abstinence.  As  it  respects  yourself,  it  will 
show  a  resolute,  independent,  mind,  and  be  deciding  the 
question  once  for  all,  and  thus  supersede  the  necessity 
of  deciding  it  a  thousand  times,  when  the  temptation  is 
offered.  It  will,  moreover,  supersede  the  inconvenience 
of  perpetual  warfare  with  appetite  and  temptation. 
And  as  it  respects  others,  of  feebler  minds  or  stronger 
appetites,  your  example  may  be  immeasurably  impor- 
tant. Multitudes  may  thus  be  secured  to  a  life  of 
sobriety,  who,  but  for  this  pledge,  would  never  have 
had  the  requisite  firmness.  Your  influence  may  thus 
extend  on  the  right  hand  and  on  the  left,  and  down  to 
future  ages;  and  by  such  united  pledges  and  efforts, 
countless  multitudes  may  be  saved  from  a  life  of  wretch- 
edness, a  death  of  infamy,  and  an  eternity  of  woe. 

But  does  any  one  still  say,  "I  will  unite  in  no  pledge, 
because  in  no  danger?"  Suppose  you  are  safe;  have 
you,  then,  no  benevolence?  Are  you  utterly  selfish? 
Think  of  the  bosom  now  wrung  with  agony  and  shame, 
over  a  drunken  husband,  or  father,  or  brother.  And  have 
you  no  pity?  Think  of  the  millions  of  hopes,  for  both 
worlds,  suspended  on  the  success  of  the  temperance 
cause.     And  vvillyou   do  nothing  to  speed  its  triumph  ? 

Do  you  say,  your  influence  is  of  no  account?  It  was 
one  "poor  man"  that  saved  a  "little  city,"  when  a 
"great  king  besieged  it."  Another  saved  a  "great 
city,"  when  the  anger  of  Jehovah  was  provoked  against 
it.  Small  as  your  influence  may  be,  you  are  accounta- 
ble to  God  and  your  country;  and  your  finger  may 
touch  some  string"  that  shall  vibrate  through  the  nation. 


OF  THE  CONFEDERATE  STATES.  II 

But,  are  you  conscious  of  possessing  talent?  Then 
rally  the  circle  of  your  acquaintance,  and  enlist  them 
in  the  sacred  cause.  And  do  you  save  a  little  by  absti- 
nence ?  Then  give  a  little  to  extend  the  benign  influ- 
ence. What  youth  cannot,  at  least,  circulate  a  few 
tracts,  and,  perhaps,  enlist  as  many  individuals?  And 
who  can  estimate  the  endless  influence  of  those  indi- 
viduals, or  their  capacity  for  rising  with  you  in  celestial 
splendor  ? 

But,  have  you  wealth,  or  power  with  the  pen  ?  Then 
speak  by  ten  thousand  tongues:  send  winged  messen- 
gers through  the  city,  the  country,  the  town,  the  village, 
the  harbor;  and  thus  may  you  enjoy  now  the  highest 
of  all  luxuries — the  luxury  of  doing  good.  And,  at  the 
same  time,  trusting  in  Him  who  came  from  the  abodes 
of  light,  "  to  seek  and  save  the  lost,"  you  may  secure 
durable  riches  in  that  world  where,  saith  the  Scripture, 
neither  covetous,  nor  drunkards,  nor  extortioners,  nor 
revilers,  nor  the  sloth/id,  nor  mere- lovers  of  pleasure,  nor 
anything  that  defileth,  shall  ever  enter;  but  where  they 
that  be  wise  shall  shine  forth  as  the  brightness  of  the 
firmament  for  ever  and  ever. 

When  these  opposite  characters  and  their  changeless 
destinies  are  seriously  weighed,  none,  surely,  can  hes- 
itate which  to  prefer.  But,  "what  thou  doest,  do 
quickly." 


And  now,  before  concluding,  let  us  especially  urge 
this  appeal  on  the  earnest  attention  of  the  soldiers  of 
the  Confederate  States. 

Gentlemen — I  almost  said  heroes.  I  will  call  you 
martial  heroes.     I  cannot  call  you  all  moral  heroes,  for 


12  APPEAL    TO    THE    YOITH    AND    SOLDIEKS 

moral  heroism  implies  fortitude  and  self-denial,  and  we 
at  home — your  fathers,  mothers,  brothers,  sisters  and 
friends — hear  with  sorrow  and  dismay  that  you,  our 
pride,  our  hope,  who  at  the  call  of  danger  to  your  coun- 
try, sprang  so  gallantly  to  the  rescue,  freely  bared  your 
breasts  to  the  shafts  of  battle,  and  in  most  unequal  cir- 
cumstances repeatedly  drove  back  the  countless  hordes 
of  our  enemies,  are,  many  of  you,  fast  yielding  to  in- 
temperance, a  foe  insidicms  and  contagious,  by  which  it 
is  more  disgraceful  to  be  conquered  than  by  your  North- 
ern enemies,  who  would  rather  see  you  conquered  by 
it  than  by  themselves,  since  their  aim  would  be  answered 
without  exposing  themselves  to  your  terrible  steel.  Oh, 
dear  countrymen!  whither  are  you  drifting?  For  the 
cause,  these  things  ought  not  to  be.  You  profess  to  feel 
that  your  cause  is  noble,  just  and  holy.  A  noble  cause 
ought  to  make  noble  champions,  inspire  them  with  its 
own  nobleness,  and  raise  them  to  the  height  of  the  great 
argument.  What  protector  of  a  noble  woman  would  not 
feel  himself  elevated  by  her  confiding  pressure  upon  his 
arm  and  her  aid-asking  eye  ?  You  have  such  a  goddess, 
Liberty,  leaning  upon  your  strong  arms  and  turning  upon 
you  her  imploring  eye  to  save  her  from  pollution.  She 
should  make  you  lords  of  the  lion  heart  and  eagle  eye. 
But  we  hear  that  some  of  you  are  unsteadying  your 
step,  relaxing  your  discipline,  lowering  your  regal  crest, 
and  losing  your  conscious  look  of  independence,  and 
that,  too,  in  the  presence  of  the  enemy,  by  putting 
another  enemy  in  your  mouth  to  steal  away  your  brains. 
My  friends,  believe  not  the  selfish  logic  of  drunkards, 
who  want  companionship  to  countenance  their  excesses, 
nor  the  still  more  selfish  persuasions  of  distillers,  who 
buy  up  the  children's  bread  to  convert  it  into  adulterated 


OF  THE  CONFEDERATE  STATES.  13 

whiskey,  to  madden  the  brains  of  their  fathers  and  brinor 
them  down  in  shame  and  sorrow  to  premature  death  or 
decrepitude  !  If  anything  is  proven,  it  is  proven  by  the 
endurance  and  almost  superhuman  victories  of  the  water- 
drinking  heroes  of  antiquity,  by  philosophy,  by  logic, 
by  experiment,  and  the  almost  uniform  testimony  of  great 
physicians,  that  the  use  of  ardent  spirits  is  weakening. 
Hear  what  the  great  and  good  Dr.  Rush,  the  Father  of 
American  Medicine,  says:  1.  "These  liquors  were 
formerly  used  only  as  a  medicine."  2.  "Since  the 
introduction  of  spirituous  liquors,  physicians  have  re- 
marked that  a  number  of  new  diseases  have  appeared 
among  us."  3.  "  I  have  only  named  a  few  of  the  prin- 
cipal disorders  produced  by  spirituous  liquors.  It  would 
take  up  a  volume  to  describe  how  many  other  disorders 
natural  to  the  human  body  are  increased  and  complicated 
by  them."  4.  "Spirituous  liquors  destroy  more  lives  than 
the  sword.  War  has  its  intervals  of  destruction,  but 
spirits  operate  at  all  times  and  seasons  upon  life."  5. 
"There  cannot  be  a  greater  error  than  to  suppose  that 
spirituous  liquors  lessen  the  effects  of  cold  upon  the 
body."  6.  "It  is  equally  absurd  to  suppose  that  spirit- 
uous liquors  lessen  the  effect  of  heat  upon  the  body." 
7.  "I  maintain,  with  equal  confidence,  that  spirituous 
liquors  do  not  lessen  the  effects  of  hard  labor  upon  the 
body."  8.  Hear  these  awfui  words  of  doom  :  "Jl  people 
corrupted  by  strong  drink  cannot  long  be  a  free  people." 

9.  "I  must  beg  leave  to  inform  them  (that  is,  intemper- 
ates)  that  they  must  leave  off  suddtnly  and  entirely.  No 
man  was  ever  gradually  reformed  from  drinking  spirits." 

10.  "  He  (that  is,  the  reforming  intemperate)  must  not 
only  avoid  tasting,  but  even  smelling  them,  until  long 
habits    of    abstinence    have    subdued    his   affection    for 


14        APPEAL  TO  THE  YOUTH  AND  SOLDIERS 

them."  11.  "To  prevent  his  feeling  any  inconvenience 
from  the  sudden  loss  of  their  stimulus  upon  his  stomach, 
he  should  drink  plentifully  of  camomile  or  any  other 
bitter  tea."  These  eleven  brief  sentences,  taken  from 
the  doctor's  work  published  in  1785,  very  inadequately 
set  forth  his  appreciation  of  the  evils  of  intemperance. 

You  would  not  think  that  i  overestimate  the  degree  of 
public  alarm  on  your  account,  if  you  could  see  as  I  see 
how  the  public  is  stirred  on  receipt  of  intelligence  that 
intemperance  is  fast  conquering  those  who  conquered  at 
Bethel,  Manassas,  Springfield,  Carthage,  Greenbrier, 
Belmont,  Leesburg,  and  other  stricken  fields — how  Chris- 
tians of  all  denominations  are  forming  themselves  into 
union  prayer  meetings  to  pray  for  you,  not  so  much  to 
save  you  from  your  mortal  as  your  alcoholic  foes  —  how 
your  tender  onesuyour  mothers,  wives,  children,  loved 
ones,  who  have  adopted  you  as  their  chosen  champions; 
who  have  worked  for  you  far  into  the  night,  until  their 
heads  reeled,  and  their  eyes  swam,  and  'heir  fingers 
ached  and  even  bled  —  how  their  hearts  throbbed,  their 
bosoms  exulted,  and  their  eyes  dilated  with  joy  when 
they  heard  of  your  successes  ;  how  their  cheeks  paled, 
their  heads  drooped,  their  tongues  stopped,  when  they 
heard  of  your  excesses!  If  you  could  see  them,  did  I 
say?  You  may,  with  a  very  small  effort  of  imagination, 
see  them,  and  hear  them  too.  You  may  see  and  hear 
your  wives,  and  children,  and  sisters,  and  sweethearts, 
with  streaming  eyes,  uplifted  haruls,  and  supplicating 
ooks,  imploring  you  to  dash  the  poisoned  cup  from  your 
lips,  which  they  have  so  often  fondly  pressed.  And  will 
you  render  them  less  sweet  and  less  worthy  to  be  pressed 
again  by  polluting  them  with  impure  liquor?  You  may 
picture  the  majestic  form  and  awful  voice  of  Washing- 


OF  THE  CONFEDERATE  STATES.  15 

ton  saying  to  you,  if  I,  with  a  handful  of  undisciplined 
troops,  far  inferior  in  appointments  to  you,  passed  vic- 
toriously through  a  seven  years  war,  and  often  marked 
our  retreat  through  the  snows  of  winter  by  the  blood  that 
dripped  from  our  naked  feet,  with  but  a  very  moderate, 
use  of  ardent  spirits,  cannot  you  do  the  same?  You 
may  see  the  Guardian  Angel,  the  Protecting  Genius  of 
the  Confederacy,  standing  over  you  with  alarmed  visage, 
rent  robes,  bleeding  body,  but  still  hopeful  and  triumph- 
ant look,  imploring  you  by  all  the  memories  of  the  past, 
by  the  momentous  stake  of  the  present,  and  its  conse- 
quences to  the  future,  not  to  sully  or  sink  her  cause  by 
surrendering  yourselves  to  so  ignoble  a  foe  as  Whiskey. 


Mourn  for  the  thousands  slain, 
The  youthful  and  the  strong; 

Mourn  for  the  wine-cup's  fatal  reign, 
And  the  deluded  throng. 

Mourn  for  the  ruined  soul — 

Eternal  life  and  light 
Lost  by  the  fiery,  maddening  bowl, 

And  turned  to  hopeless  night. 

Mourn  for  the  lost — but  call — 
Call  to  the  strong — the  free; 

Rouse  them  to  shun  that  dreadful  fall, 
And  to  the  refuge  flee. 

Mourn  for  the  lost — but  pray — 

Pray  to  our  God  above. 
To  break  the  fell  destroyer's  sway, 

And  show  his  saving  love. 


APPEAL  TO  THE  YOUTH  AND  SOLDIERS. 


DEFENCE  IN  WAR. 


"Give  peace  in  our  time,  O  Lord. 
Because  there  is  none  other  that  fighteth  for  us,  but 
only  thou,  O,  God."— Exodus  xvii,  8-10. 


When  Joshua  led  the  armed  bands 

Of  Israel  forth  to  war, 
Moses  apart,  with  lifted  hands, 

Engag'd  in  humble  prayer. 

The  armed  bands  had  quickly  fail'd, 

And  peris h'd  in  the  fight, 
If  Moses'  praver  had  not  prevail'd 

To  put  the  foes  to  flight. 

"When  Moses'  hands  through  weakness  dropp 'd, 

The  warriors  fainted  too; 
Israel's  success  at  once  was  stopp'd 

And  Amalek  bolder  grew. 

A  people,  always  prone  to  boast, 

Were  taught  by  this  suspense, 
That  not  a  numerous,  armed  host, 

But  GOD,  was  their  defence. 

We  now  of  fleets  and  armies  vaunt, 

And  ships  and  men  prepare  ; 
But  men  like  Moses  most  we  want, 

To  save  the  slate  by  prayer. 

Yet,  Lord,  we  hope  thou  hast  prepared 

A  hidden  few  this  day, 
(The  nation's  secret  strength  and  guard), 

To  weep,  and  mourn,  and  pray. 

Oh,  hear  their  prayers,  and  grant  us  aid, 

Bid  war  and  discord  cease; 
Heal  the  sad  breach  which  sin  has  made, 

And  biess  us  all  with  peace  ! 


PRAY  WITHOUT  CEASING." 


PUBLISHED  BY  THE  SOUTH  CAROLINA  TRACT  SOCIETY 


Printed  by  Evans  &  Cogswell,  No.  3  Broad  street,  Charleston,  S.  C. 


Hollinger  Corp. 
PH8.5 


